So, I spent the night watching TV and getting a good night's rest in the huge King-sized bed. I went to my conference and was done by 4 pm. Lucky for me, I was staying with my friend, Kirsten at her new condo. She works just a few blocks down from the hotel I was staying at, so I just walked down to her office while she wrapped up work. I walked across the bridge over the Chicago River and still loving the 90+ degree heat. Right as I arrived to her work (Kirsten works as web editor for Fox News Chicago) the news broke of Michael Jackson's death. WOW, I was in shock, but I have to admit, it was pretty cool to be in a newsroom when this news broke. Kirsten was running around "in her element" and it was neat to see her in action.
After she finished work, we went back to her place to drop off my stuff at her condo, which by the way is AMAZING. She bought a condo a few blocks from Wrigley Field and she has a cute loft-like condo (1 bedroom, 1 bath) with a living room and kitchen. She also has secure access, a parking space, and a little patio with BBQ and table/chairs. Too cute. Anyway, we walked to a nearby Mexican restaurant for margaritas and fajitas...delicious.
The next day (Friday, June 26th) Kirsten got up early to go to work and I slept in. I got up and took Pheobe, Kirsten's adorable golden retriever/collie mix, for a long walk around the neighborhood. We walked around Wrigley and the surrounding neighborhood. Then I took the L train to meet Kirsten downtown and we were headed to a baseball game. And not just any baseball game, but the Chicago cross-town rival series between the Cubs vs. White Sox. And it was at US Cellular Field, the home of the White Sox. We were headed to the South Side of Chicago.
US Cellular Field in South Chicago - home of Chicago White Sox
Okay, I just had to take a picture of this advertisement...come on, seriously? Mullet Night? WOW is all I can say. Those White Sox fans must be trashy if you are willing to come sporting a mullet in public.
Kirsten and Andi at baseball game - we were up in nosebleed section, but it was well mixed of both Cubs and White Sox fans...people were shouting at each other, and as the hot afternoon dragged on and as the beers were flowing among fans, the profanity only increased
The view of Chicago skyline from US Cellular Field
Okay, after the baseball game we went back to Kirsten's condo and hung out on her patio, grilled some burgers, and drank some beers.
The next day (Saturday, June 27th) we got up and went for a run with Pheobe along Lake Michigan and it was BEAUTIFUL! Kirsten lives in such a fantastic location - just a few blocks from the L train, just a few blocks from Wrigley Field, and just a 10 minute walk from the shore of Lake Michigan. It was gorgeous. After our run, we treated ourselves to brunch at this cute little outdoor cafe. Then Kirsten had to shuffle off to get her hair dyed and cut. Since this is a 3-4 process, I hooked up with some of her neighbor friends to get a pedicure and some shopping. I got my toes painted red (my fave color!) and found a trendy and large white flower ring, some silver earrings, and most importantly, a gently used red Coach purse - woo hoo! I then met up with Kirsten at her hair place...she was still wrapping up, so I went to a nearby coffee shop and read my book club book (The Story of Edgar Sawtelle) and enjoyed some iced tea. We then met up with Kirsten's boyfriend, Jason, for dinner.
The next day (Sunday, June 28th) we got up early and decided to do one touristy thing on my trip - go on the Architecture boat tour along the Chicago River.
Kirsten looking up at the buildings
Going underneath a bridge on the Chicago River
Chicago Sun Times - where Kirsten used to work
Sears Tower
Kirsten sporting her new hairdo
Me with my hair flying in the wind...it was windy!
This is the Pier where there is a carnival and where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan
Me again, only this time without my hair flying everywhere and with the pretty Chicago skyline in the distance
Kirsten and Andi
Kirsten then drove me to the airport and I had a long flight home. I wasn't excited because I couldn't get a direct flight, but had a LONG layover in St. Louis. Not being entirely thrilled about hanging out at the airport for 4-5 hours, I decided to make the most of it and found out the light rail left from the airport directly into downtown and I could see the famous Gateway Arch! So I paid my $3 fare and 30 minutes later, I was in downtown St. Louis. Along the way I passed Busch Stadium, the home of the St. Louis Cardinals and where the 2009 All-Star game will be played in a few weeks. While I didn't see the inside, the outside looked really cool. I got off at the Arch stop and walked around. The line was too long for me to get tickets and ride the elevator to the top of the Arch, but I was able to walk around underneath it. I will have to come back here to ride to the top and explore the musuems they have underground as part of it.
Gateway Arch
This is the view from directly underneath it
The Mississippi River and bridge going from St. Louis, MO across the river to Illinois
There was a cool permanent, bronze statute in the water
Not sure if you can tell from this photo, but the water in the Mississippi River was REALLY muddy
Me in front of the Arch at the Mississippi River
Shot of Arch and you can see it sits just at the coast of the Mississippi River
I was able to get back on the light rail and to the airport in time for my flight. I got to SeaTac and by this time, was completely exhausted. Of course I forgot what level I parked on, so I spent a good half hour walking around the parking garage WITH ALL OF MY LUGGAGE. I was very irritated, so when I got home, all I could do was collapse into bed, but Lucy wouldn't stop licking my face. Love that dog!
